Volunteers Cross Borders to Protect the Millennial Larch

The Alerce Costero National Park, in the Los Ríos Region, was the setting for a cross-border initiative that unites volunteers from Chile and Argentina in the conservation of the Millennial Larch. The NGO Entre Lengas and the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) Los Ríos led this new edition of the "Manos a la Pala" volunteer program, which concluded successfully after intense days of fieldwork and learning.

The volunteer program began with a meeting at Conaf Los Ríos, followed by the setup of the base camp in the park. A forest bathing experience marked the start of the activities, promoting connection with nature and group cohesion. The volunteers, hailing from various regions and from Mendoza, Argentina, faced high temperatures and rainfall, adapting their work pace without compromising the conservation tasks.

Workstations along the trail to the Millennial Larch Viewpoint included replacing infrastructure, building steps, and stabilizing the terrain, all essential for protecting the larch and ensuring visitor safety. The methodology allowed all participants to learn the different trail maintenance and construction techniques.

On the fourth day, a technical training session on sustainable trail design was held, led by Patricio Contreras from Conaf Los Ríos. Fernanda Bruna Thiele, a Tourism Management student at Inacap, and Catalina Morris Caputo, Project Management Officer, highlighted the value of hands-on learning and the transformative impact of the experience on their understanding of tourism and conservation.

The achievements of the volunteer program include the implementation of over 30 steps, trail maintenance and widening work, soil conservation, and the relocation of the Millennial Larch Viewpoint. Erwin Martínez, director of Entre Lengas, emphasized the foundational nature of the project and the importance of collaborative work with Conaf Los Ríos.

Support from various organizations and companies was key to the success of the volunteer program, which is envisioned as a model of participatory conservation, leaving tangible improvements on the trail and fostering an active community in the protection of natural heritage and National Parks.